<span>MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MEETS WITH KENT COUNTY OFFICIALS AS PART OF STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION TOUR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Maryland Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs
David Broughton, 410-865-1029
Jim Joyner, 410-865-1030

Officials Outline Six-Year Draft Budget and Provide Key Project Updates

CHESTERTOWN, MD (October 24, 2023) – Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld and other representatives of the Maryland Department of Transportation met today with Kent County officials to discuss the department's six-year Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program. The plan calls for a $21.2 billion, six-year investment to create a safer, cleaner, efficient and accessible transportation system connecting Marylanders to jobs, schools, recreation, health care and services.

“Delivering safe, reliable, equitable and sustainable transportation is critical to Maryland's economic health and the vibrancy of neighborhoods across the state. This Draft CTP is inspired by that mission," said Secretary Wiedefeld. “We know there are challenges ahead, and we are committed to fiscal responsibility and collaboration with local communities, stakeholders and elected officials as we deliver the transportation network Marylanders need and deserve."

The Draft Consolidated Transportation Program includes funding to maintain existing transportation facilities, expand transit opportunities, invest in Maryland's economy and support the state's long-term goals for mobility, safety, equity, environmental stewardship and economic growth. To view the full Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program, go to ctp.maryland.gov.

The program allocates funding for electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as investment in the transition to zero-emission transit buses and other carbon reduction and resiliency programs, establishing Maryland as national leader in addressing climate goals. The program also includes funding to promote Transit-Oriented Development to spur economic growth in transit corridors, and for projects to support Complete Streets – an initiative to make Maryland's roadways safer and more accessible for all users, and help reduce the number of roadway fatalities and injuries.

The program outlines investments in each mode funded by the Transportation Trust Fund: Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, State Highway Administration and The Secretary's Office, as well as Maryland's investment in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

The plan also includes an additional $2.7 billion investment planned by the Maryland Transportation Authority. Receiving no funds from the Transportation Trust Fund, the Maryland Transportation Authority's toll facilities are fully financed, constructed, operated, maintained, improved and protected with toll revenues paid by customers using those facilities.

At Tuesday's meeting, transportation officials offered details of projects affecting Kent County. In addition to Secretary Wiedefeld, officials attending included State Highway Administrator William Pines; Motor Vehicle Administration Deputy Administrator Leslie Dews; Maryland Transit Administration Local Transit Support Director Travis Johnston; Maryland Aviation Administration Regional Aviation Director Ashish Solanki and Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Joey Sagal.

State Highway Administrator Pines said work is continuing on design for a $3.7 million sidewalk reconstruction project on MD 514. He also said the agency is meeting with community representatives to discuss access and other issues related to plans for pedestrian and safety improvements along MD 213.

Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Director Sagal updated officials on the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study, which is in Tier 2 of the National Environmental Protection Act process. The study is analyzing ways to improve reliability, mobility and safety across the Bay and along US 50/301. The federally required Tier 2 study is focused on Corridor 7, the corridor selected during the Tier 1 study. That corridor is two miles wide and runs 22 miles from the Severn River Bridge in Anne Arundel County to the U.S. 50/U.S. 301 split in Queen Anne's County. It includes the site of the existing Bay Bridge.

This year, the Maryland Transportation Authority has engaged the public through community events, an online transit and bike/pedestrian listening meeting and in-person and online public meetings. The agency plans to share alternatives in 2024, followed by announcement of a recommended preferred alternative in 2025. The Tier 2 study is expected to conclude in winter 2026/2027. Details about the study and ways to provide public input are available online at baycrossingstudy.com.

Officials noted other local allocations in the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program, including:

$1.1 million in operating and capital grants to support local transit operations provided by Delmarva Community Transit;
$524,000 in highway safety grants for local law enforcement and organizations including the Kent County Sheriff's Office and Washington College; and
$123,000 in a Statewide Transit Innovation Grant to support Delmarva Community Service's plan to install a propane filling station that will help the agency transition to low-emission propane powered vehicles in the future.

The Kent County meeting was part of the Maryland Department of Transportation's tour of all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City to discuss the funding plan and receive input from local officials and the public. The tour continues into November. Dates and locations for upcoming sessions can be found here. The schedule is subject to change and will be updated as needed throughout the process.

Following the tour, the Draft FY 2024-2029 Consolidated Transportation Program will be finalized and submitted in January for consideration during the 2024 General Assembly session.